5 Things You Need to Know About Niacin

March 13, 2018

Niacin is our go-to supplement for keeping the heart strong, promoting cholesterol balance, and supporting a healthy metabolism. But other than the name and some of its key benefits, are you familiar with all this nutrient powerhouse can do?

Here are five niacin facts you need to know.

1. Niacin exists in two key forms.

The term “niacin” is a catch-all phrase for two chemical forms of this B vitamin: nicotinic acid and nicotinamide. Both forms are essential for the nervous system to work properly. Together, the two activate hundreds of cellular enzymes critical for optimal health by allowing your body to fully convert the dietary proteins, fats, and carbohydrates you eat into the energy you need to fuel up. In addition, both forms of niacin help cells and tissues communicate to maintain healthy skin, nerve function, and digestion.

2. Nicotinic acid is the form for heart health.

A large body of scientific evidence dating back to the mid-1950s has found that only one form of niacin, called nicotinic acid, has targeted benefits for heart health and cholesterol metabolism. The other form, nicotinamide, does not provide the same benefits.

3. Sensitive people benefit from extended release delivery of niacin.

While many doctors like their patients to use immediate-release niacin as part of their heart-health program, they know that some sensitive people can experience digestive upset and skin flushing. ENDUR-ACIN® Extended Release Niacin has an advanced wax matrix delivery technology that is specifically designed to help eliminate these unpleasant effects; the tablet dissolves slowly as it enters the intestine which allows for a gradual, measured release of nicotinic acid over a six to eight hour period.

4. Niacin helps you build NAD.

NAD, which stands for the tongue-twisting nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, is the biochemically active form of niacin in the body. NAD is critical for creating optimal cellular metabolism and a healthy inflammatory response, combating oxidative stress, and repairing DNA. Unfortunately, as we age, our cells produce less and degrade more NAD, which causes our bodies to begin to age faster—symptoms that nobody wants to deal with! Producing plenty of NAD is fundamental to aging more gracefully. The good news is both forms of niacin (nicotinic acid and nicotinamide) are precursors to NAD; the body uses them as biochemical building blocks to produce NAD.

5. No-flush niacin is a no-go.

Don’t be fooled by over-the-counter options that offer no real benefits. The “no-flush niacin,” which was originally designed to reduce flushing, contains neither nicotinic acid nor nicotinamide. Instead, it contains something called “inositol hexaniacinate,” which has no effect on cholesterol metabolism and is unable to be adequately absorbed by the body. One clinical study from the University of Minnesota even found this no-flush form to be minimally absorbed, if at all, during the entire eight-hour period after intake.1 In short, no absorption means no uptake by tissues and no beneficial effects. Nobody has the time—or money— for that!

About Endurance Products Company

Endurance Products Company has been a trusted source of quality dietary supplements since 1978. Our sustained-release and extended-release tablets feature a unique vegetable wax matrix that releases nutrients in a slow, steady manner over a period of hours for optimal nutrient absorption and retention.

Here's what people are saying about our products

“I started taking ENDUR-ACIN® and changed my diet – less beef, more fruit and vegetables – while keeping up with my regular exercise. My family doctor was amazed at my results and told me to keep doing what I was doing. Thanks for your product.”
~ Greg H., Avon, Indiana

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~ Sue M., Portland, Oregon

“Thank you so much for ENDUR-ACIN®. It is a wonderful product. I have tried four other types of niacin but the side effects were more than I could tolerate.”
~ Karen S., Whittier, California

“I love ENDUR-ACIN® and have used it with a low-fat diet and exercise for heart health. My doctor is very pleased with my results. Thank you for making such an excellent product.”
~ Kay O., St. Paul, MN